Where is Scarborough do you live? We live in a lovely 1990’s secluded neighborhood off Dunstan Landing Road. It is very convenient to Scarborough Marsh, Pine Point Road to the beach, and wonderful stores like On the Vine, Dairy Corner, Julz, and Ace Hardware.

How long have you lived in Scarborough? We bought our home in December 2019 while living in Boston. We planned for it to be our retirement home and rent it until we retired. But COVID-19 allowed us to work from home and move in earlier than planned in December 2020.

Where did you grow up and live prior to Scarborough? I was born in Ottawa Ontario Canada and lived there most of my life. In 1987, I met my husband, David, in San Francisco at a conference for statisticians and it turned out he was born in Embden Maine. David moved to Ottawa from San Francisco in 1988 and we started our monthly 6-hour drives to his mother’s home in Embden.

Why did you move to Scarborough? We moved to Boston to be closer to David’s family and especially his mother, who was in a nursing home. But we also moved to Boston for jobs at Boston Children’s Hospital (BCH), a truly rewarding career choice. At BCH, David and I work on clinical research studies and David has an appointment with Harvard Medical School. Then in the Fall of 2020 with plans for retirement and COVID-19 worries, we decided it was time for David to finally live in Maine again some 60 years after he left. With one sister living in Scarborough and another moving there in 2023, we choose our new home close to family.

Do you have a memory that to you represents the best of Scarborough? I joined the Scarborough Rotary Club in 2021 to help make a difference in Scarborough and to meet the community. The Rotary Christmas Tree fundraiser that year introduced me to so many people from Scarborough and the Rotarians made me so welcome! The goodwill and extra-special Christmas joy that I get to experience every Christmas is a perfect memory of the best of Scarborough.

What’s your idea of an ideal winter day in Scarborough? On a not too snowy Friday, I like to go to The Scarborough Community Services Hub to play cards with the warm, friendly participants in the morning. Then in the afternoon I like to walk on Pine Point Beach with our miniature dachshund, Roxbury, dashing about in the snow saying hello to all the other dogs and owners.

What’s something you like about “new” Scarborough? Scarborough has so many things for retired people to do, I never get bored. Between the Rotary club, the Scarborough Garden Club, the Library community calendar, the Community Services Hub and events, Piping Plover monitoring, and much, much more, I love the variety of activities I can engage in.

What is your greatest hope for Scarborough? I hope that Scarborough continues to feel like a community that helps each other and to build opportunities for meeting people.

Why did you become a Rotarian? I was a Rotarian in Ottawa for more than 20 years, so it was my first choice for volunteering. I knew about Service above Self, the eradication of polio, and all the good that Rotary does locally and internationally.

Can you give an example of something you’ve done as a Rotarian that made you glad you were part of the club? I had the honor of being President of the Scarborough Rotary Club in 2023-24. The Christmas tree fundraiser is my most joyful volunteer activity. But I must joyfully thank the club for introducing me to the great taste and fun of our members’ and families’ Lobster Bake.

What have you learned about Scarborough through your work with the Rotary Club? Through my work with the Rotary Club I learned so much about the history of Scarborough and all the other service clubs such as Kiwanis, Lions, American Legion, and Project Grace who we collaborate with on projects.

What’s something about the Rotary Club that you wish more people in Scarborough knew? The Scarborough Rotary Club is a great way to get involved in the community and meet new people. We are a very social, fun-loving club that is looking for new members who want a structure to support new ideas and good work for the community.

What’s something no one in town knows about you? For many years I have been on a mindfulness journey through meditation, Qi Gong, Reiki, yoga and other energy work and holistic arts. It gives me lots of positive energy and has strengthened my retirement goal to “rise by lifting others”.

What perspective does John Murphy bring to the club as a longtime Scarborough resident? John Murphy’s love and knowledge of Scarborough shines through in all our efforts for the community. John is always ready to pitch in and make projects happen for Scarborough. He is the heavy lifter of our club.